The UK government must ensure that the COP21 deal made in Paris this weekend is just the beginning of changes – with industry calling for a “stable policy framework” for renewables to be made clear as soon as possible.
Industry leaders have welcomed the news of a deal but said ministers must now come home and “put weight” behind renewables for it to work.
RenewableUK chief executive Maria McCaffery said: “We hope that in the months to come we can see this accord translated into the necessary policies at home to achieve these goals, with ministers returning from the talks fired up to put their weight fully behind the development of the UK’s plentiful renewable energy resources, including wind, wave and tidal power, without the government seeking to exclude successful and cost-effective technologies such as onshore wind from our energy mix”.
The historic new global climate agreement was struck at the United Nations conference on climate change in Paris on Saturday which saw for the first time ever 195 countries committing to “act together”.
DECC said the deal marks a “clear turning point towards a sustainable and low carbon future” with countries now having to come together regularly to review their climate plans and collectively ensure that the necessary action is being taken to tackle climate change.
The deal sets out a clear long-term goal of net zero emissions by the end of the century with progress independently assessed in 2018 then measured every five years.
Countries will also be legally obliged to make new post-2030 commitments to reduce emissions every 5 years, from 2025. For the first time, all countries will be held accountable by independent review for acting according to their pledges.
All developed countries will also collectively mobilise $100 billion per year from both the public and private sector, to help the poorest and most vulnerable countries to protect themselves from the effects of climate change and support low carbon development.
CBI director Carolyn Fairbairn added: “The Paris deal heralds an exciting opportunity for business.
“While the UK is making its voice heard at global talks, more needs to be done at home. The government must provide a stable environment that enables investment in cleaner, more affordable and more secure energy generation, including renewable technologies and new gas plants.
“As other nations start to play a greater role and increase their ambition, the UK needs a level playing field for carbon costs, so that our energy intensive industries can compete effectively in a global, low carbon market place.”
Image: Secretary of State Amber Rudd took part in talks in Paris (DECC)
